After having spent a good part of the day with Tenzin and his family, Tenzin finally had to excuse himself and his family, as he was needed back in Republic City to help advise the President. As they boarded Tenzin's sky bison, the three kids all hugged their new friend Zuko and said goodbye to their Gran-Gran. Zuko bid farewell to both Pema and Tenzin.
"It's been great seeing you again, Zuko," said Tenzin, hugging the older man.
"You take care of yourself, Tenzin," Zuko replied, smiling.
The eldest girl Jinora stopped by Zuko and looked up at him. Kneeling, the retired Firelord put his hand on the girl's shoulder, wistfully remembering when Iria had been that age.
"You possess an ability that even I could not dream of having. You are a lucky girl," meaning every word.
"Thanks, Zuko. I just wanted to say… through all my readings of your old adventures, I think that you have a lot of honor."
With that, she boarded the bison and they flew away, waving goodbye. Zuko remained crouched, in shock. I've regained my honor… he thought to himself. He hadn't even thought about that since... a long time ago.
"Come. We have one last stop," Katara said.
They boarded a Taxi, which took them, on Katara's instructions, to the Palace, where, to Zuko's surprise, they were greeted by Avatar Korra. The two exited the car, and the young avatar greeted Katara with a hug. The Avatar, he thought, looked older than she did several months before. Undoubtedly, with spirits inhabiting the material world widespread, the Avatar was busier than ever. He had never personally met the Avatar, but he had listened to her on the radio and seen her in the newspaper.
The difference was in her eyes; she looked tired and weary. Zuko could see that she had gone through much loss and devastation; he remembered the distant, faraway look that he himself had had after his banishment.
Korra broke away from Katara and looked at Zuko. Zuko smiled, and bowed deeply, in the traditional Water Tribe Way, his left hand cupping his right fist. The Avatar smiled, and responded in kind.
"You must be Firelord Zuko," she said, smiling.
"Please, just Zuko. I resigned that post."
She nodded, and led them into the palace. She led the duo through grand halls and winding corridors until they entered the Southern Temple. Encased in a dome of ice, the temple had, in its center, the symbols of Tui and La and was bordered by the symbols of the four nations.
Tonight, however, candles had been set on each of the four symbols; and in the center, draped over a table, lay a picture.
The Fire Nation Capital
120 A.G- Eight years before the Yakone Crisis.
Zuko had just finished tying his hair into the traditional topknot when his half-sister, Kiyi, walked into the room, smiling at Zuko's hair.
"You did it all wrong, Zuko," she said. "It's crooked."
"I'm useless with hair!" Zuko shouted, exasperatedly. "I've been working on this for hours. Can you get Mom or someone to do it for me?"
"Mom's working on Mai's hair, she can't. Just let me do it!"
Zuko sighed.
"Fine, just don't mess it up like you did for the Councilor's Meeting last year."
"That was one time," she said, smirking.
Previously, when Zuko had asked Kiyi to do his topknot, she had done it so loose that his hairpiece fell out halfway through the meeting, embarrassing Zuko in front of the Council of Ministers, Zuko's cabinet. She began doing his hair, tying it in the traditional knot and using different lengths of string.
Ursa and Ikem had moved into the Palace fourteen years ago. Nearly every day, after bending practice, administrative meetings and endless paperwork, Zuko would make sure to spend time with his wife as well as his sister and his mother and stepfather. Ursa and Zuko would often spend time by the old duck pond that they used to love and talk about life in general. It was Ursa who helped Zuko get over his scarring. While he was not yet fully ready to talk about it to just anyone, he felt more aloof from his troubled past than in years past.
Ikem, as it turned out, was relatively skilled at a blade (he had learned sometime during Ursa's stay in the Palace during the War) and the two often discussed swordsmanship and life whilst sparring in the courtyard.
As for Kiyi, she often tagged along with Mai and Zuko when they were relaxing. Mai had taken to Kiyi almost immediately, and the two became fast friends. In the absence of Ty Lee, Zuko would often talk to his half-sister when he got into fights with Mai, which he inevitably often did. Over time, the two had become like true brother and sister, which comforted Zuko immensely, for it filled the sibling gap left by Azula. He hadn't anticipated how invaluable having an actually normal sibling would be; he would always have a confidant and advice-giver in his sister.
She finished quickly, making it stronger than she had before.
"Thanks, sis. You'd better get ready; people are gonna start arriving in a bit."
Leaving his room, he emerged face-to-face with his wife, who was dressed in flowing, ceremonial robes that were a mix between her usual garb and a wedding dress.
She groaned in distaste. "Get this stuff off me," she said with a sigh, rubbing at her eyeliner.
"Why? You look beautiful," Zuko said, taking her hand. She blushed slightly and together, they entered the courtyard, hand in hand.
The courtyard had been decorated extensively, with banners from all the Five Nations, the United Republic included, fluttered brightly in the soft wind. Cooks from all over the world had been cordially invited by the Firelord, and the finest cooks from all the nations jumped at the opportunity to cater at the 20th anniversary of the defeat of Fire Lord Ozai.
Uncle was already there, waving to the couple from the tea table. They walked over to greet him, and he embraced both.
"It is good that you are here, Nephew. Do you remember that White Jade plant I tried to drink 20 years ago? Well this is what it is supposed to be like."
He took a large drink of a creamy-colored tea, and sighed in resignation.
"True happiness comes from a good pot of tea."
Mai looked at Iroh quizzically, and Zuko simply smiled at the man and steered his wife away.
As they exited the courtyard, they walked to the front steps of the Palace, where they saw Appa unloading a large group of people.
"Here we go," Mai murmured, and Zuko stifled a laugh.
"Zuko!" exclaimed Aang, who immediately went to Zuko to hug him.
"It's good to see you Aang," Zuko said.
Aang bowed deeply to Mai, which amused her greatly.
"Hey, Zuko, hey, Mai," said a dejected, weary voice.
Katara limped past Zuko, carrying on her back little Tenzin and juggling the nine-year old Bumi and 4 year old Kya, who were swatting at each other with the ferocity of a boarcupine. With a shout of anger, she pried Bumi off her leg and shouted at both of them.
Mai and Zuko glanced at each other, and slowly began backing away.
Next to arrive was Toph who had traded in her metal armor for the robe that she had worn when they were all younger, albeit on a larger scale. In her hands, she held young Lin.
"How's it goin', Sparky? And Mrs. Sparky, my apologies," said Toph, who curtsied dramatically, her voice laden with sarcasm.
"It's good to see you, Toph, " Zuko said, raising an eyebrow at the woman's blunt arrival.
There was a long silence as both regarded each other awkwardly, deigning to remain silent.
"Well, I enjoyed the conversation, but I gotta go catch up with Twinkletoes," she said, punching Zuko in the arm.
"Ow," he said, rubbing his shoulder. Mai smirked at her husband, bemused.
"Toughen up, sweet stuff. Now how many more people do we still have to meet today?" she asked, yawning.
"Calm down; we've only talked to, like, three people. We're still waiting on Sokka and his family."
As soon as he spoke several carts with the Water Tribe flag emblazoned on the sides arrived, and a large group of people disembarked rambunctiously, shouting and laughing raucously.
Sokka and Suki greeted Zuko and Mai joyfully, embracing them both.
"It's good to see you, Sokka," Zuko said with a smile.
Suki and Mai, who had become acquainted early on when Zuko had been searching for his mother, were chatting happily, while Zuko caught up with Sokka.
"How has it been, Sokka? Still getting practice with your sword?" he asked, smirking slightly. The two men, having both trained under Master Piandao, made it a tradition to spar every time they met.
"Yeah, plenty. Suki's been instructing the next generation of Kyoshi Warriors, and seeing as I'm an honorary warrior, I've been helping out a lot," Sokka said earnestly.
"That's good," Zuko said, looking at Sokka quizzically.
"Sorry, It's weird talking to you without you once being sarcastic and witty."
Sokka grinned.
"First you say don't be witty and sarcastic. Now you say be witty and sarcastic. Make up your mind, or else I'll start calling you Sparky Sparky Boom Man the Second."
"That doesn't even make sense," Zuko said, grinning..
The two laughed, returning to the group, their wives behind them.
The ceremony had been sweet, short, and to the point. Zuko had welcomed all the guests to the 20th anniversary of the ending of the War, and had talked about he and Aang's ongoing project to strengthen the United Republic. While strong, it needed a formal military to protect itself against any potential threats, and Zuko had been campaigning to start the United Military with volunteers from all four nations.
Then Aang had spoken about the state of the world and how balance had been achieved.
"We must continue standing together," he had said, "Or else we will once again fall into chaos."
This had been met with cheers, and Aang had then recounted their journey to defeat Firelord Ozai, which Zuko had listened to with reluctance. Despite the new nature of the Fire Nation, he still felt some resentment listening to the Nation he had dedicated so much of his life to be diminished by his friends. He sat on a bench overlooking the courtyard, where he was joined by Mai.
"Is it wrong that after everything I did to change this Nation, that I still don't like listening to it being defeated by a bunch of kids? Am I messed up or something?"
Mai smiled slightly, leaning her head against his.
"Don't worry. You're not alone. I know that what our country did was wrong, but I still can't help feel resentful even after everything that's happened. It's not like I want our Nation to go back to being rulers of the world, even though that was quite an interesting time, but I don't like hearing it be put down like this."
Zuko kissed Mai on the cheek lovingly. He knew that that was why he loved her. Since her teen days, she had lightened up a little, and was a nicer, happier person now, but Zuko always respected that his wife knew what was going on with Zuko, and the two, even though they argued and fought a lot, were very similar in many ways.
After the feast that was thrown in the dining hall, and after evading Sokka's offer of dried sea prunes, Zuko managed to find the group all gathered around Appa. Aang looked up, his face lighting up.
"Zuko! Just in time—we were about to take a group photo."
Zuko groaned. The new photograph technology that had been invented in Republic City was incredible, to be sure, but he always managed, as a firebender, to have strange effects on the camera, as the igniting flash would often burst into flames or, more often than not, explode.
Aang, Katara, and Toph all gathered their children on the ground in front of the group, instructing them sternly to smile, and not move around, leaving the adults to stand. Zuko stood with his wife, as did Aang, for a formal picture, which, after the blinding light had receded from Zuko's eyes, had turned out fine and dignified.
Then, grabbing Aang and Zuko, Sokka, Katara, Mai, Suki and Toph took a picture of their own, all smiling broadly with their arms around each other. As the cameraman readied his camera, Zuko simply smiled, for the first time simply enjoying the company of his friends on this great day.
Zuko smiled with the memory, holding the picture in his hand wistfully. Turning, Zuko gestured Katara over and set it in her hand gently, sighing.
"Those were the days, weren't they?" he said.
Wiping away a tear, Katara nodded.
"They won't be forgotten," she murmured, setting the photo back on the table.
Korra leaned against the wall in the corner, smiling. She had been through so much pain, chaos, and loss recently that it warmed her heart to see these two friends reminisce over times long past together. After having faced Unalaq and Vaatu, such blind hate and destruction, taking a moment to pay homage to her past live's last remaining friends was something she had jumped at doing. Katara had asked her to come along several weeks ago, and Korra had been eager to meet the famous Zuko who had done so much for the world. She had respected the man since she had first heard stories of him, and finally meeting him in the flesh… it was amazing.
Turning around, the old man smiled at the Avatar, gesturing her over. Placing a warm hand on her shoulder, the man gave her a reassuring nod.
"I heard what happened to you, Avatar Korra, and I wanted to extend my deepest condolences. But please do not think myself or Katara are angry with you in any way for losing the connection to Aang."
She nodded. This very thought had crossed her mind. Stories of the Firelord's infamous temper had been common throughout Republic City, and she had found herself hoping that the two would not hate her for losing their friend.
"My Uncle once said that only we can give ourselves hope. I know I haven't had a lot of time to talk with you, but if there is anything you should know, it is that hope is sometimes the only thing we can count on."
Korra nodded, crying. The Avatar Cycle had been broken. She had to take on the responsibility of starting the new cycle. Mako had ended their relationship, forever. The wounds from her battle with Vaatu were still there, and the mental wounds that she had kept from having lost her bending to Amon over a year ago still stayed with her.
She felt the Firelord embrace her.
"I have kept a watchful eye over you since you were little, Young Avatar, and believe me when I say that I know you have great honor in your life. As much respect as I have for my old friend, I must say that you have the potential to be the greatest Avatar our world has ever seen."
Korra bowed, thanking the man for his advice. The man bowed in return, and then remembered something. Reaching into his robe, he pulled out an old scribe emblazoned with the insignia of the Fire Nation.
"I would like you to have this, Avatar Korra. Should you ever fight a firebender who can bend lightning, you can use this technique to redirect it. I had the scroll made myself, for believe me, It's saved my life a fair number of times."
She took the proffered scroll, bowing again. Then, thinking, she spoke.
"Zuko... wait. When I was in the Spirit World..." she said, hesitating. "I met your Uncle."
Zuko's eyes widened in surprise. He stared at Korra, at a loss for words.
"He... he helped me out when I was lost in the Spirit World. He gave me great wisdom and guided me into the light."
A tear trickled down the old Firelord's cheek.
"That... that certainly sounds like him. I assume he was drinking tea the whole time, right?"
She nodded, smiling slightly.
"He had a tea shop, and he was playing Pai Sho with some spirits. That's... all I can remember," she said.
"My Uncle, it seems, is truly in a better place now. It makes me happy to hear that even in the Spirit World, he gives great wisdom," he said.
He hugged Korra tightly.
"Thank you, Avatar Korra. You put my mind at ease, and for that, I am in your debt."
Zuko turned, wiping his tears away, looking at Katara with a smile. They embraced, taking comfort in each other's presence.
"Thank you, Katara, for inviting me here. It has given me much to think about. I enjoyed the conversation, and the tea wasn't too bad, either," he said, smiling a little.
Katara chuckled.
"The pleasure is mine, Zuko. It's been far too long since we last met. We members of Team Avatar have to stick together, remember? Please visit me again some other time. I hope I brought you at least some peace, and I'm glad Korra could give you some as well. And please tell your daughter I send my regards," she said knowingly.
Zuko bowed deeply to his oldest friend, which she returned in kind. Then, as he left, he glanced briefly over his shoulder, smiling to see that the caring woman he had always known had gone to Korra, comforting the girl.
Zuko stepped back on the metal deck of his ship, gathering his cloak closer in the frigid cold. A guardsman snapped to attention.
"Firelord Zuko, what are your orders?"
Patting the man on the back, Zuko walked towards the hatch, looking forward to being in his cabin again.
"Chart a course for home. It's been too long."
The man grinned, running to the bridge to relay his orders. As the crew cast off, retracting gangplanks and fueling the ship, Zuko gripped the railing, feeling tiredness hit him. He had needed this talk, he realized. He had never fully come to terms with where he was now, and talking to Katara and Korra had put him at peace, and he hoped that he had done the same for both in return.
He was very glad that he had also met the Avatar; the girl, while young, had put his heart at ease. When he had said she could be the greatest Avatar of all time, he hadn't been joking. In his heart, he knew that his and Katara's generations were done, and that it was in the hands of people like Korra that the fate of the world rested.
He walked into his cabin quietly, poured yet another cup of tea, and stared at the painting that hung on his wall. Faraway, he now knew, his Uncle was doing what he had always talked about doing; living at peace, with friends at his side, drinking tea and playing his favorite game. And he knew in his heart that his wife, his friends, and all those he had lost through the long years of his life were there too, waiting for him.
The End.
Well, sorry to say, but this story has reached its conclusion. I couldn't in good consciousness drag the story out any more than it needed, but I hope that this is enjoyable for you guys. Sorry if I brought on a case of the feels, but I like taking a break from the action once in a while to write some emotional stuff. I hope you guys enjoyed this as much as I did. Avatar holds a special place in my heart, and it's quite possibly my favorite show. Ever. I tried, especially in this chapter, to convey some of the spirituality that Avatar is so adept at showing.
As always, thanks for reading, and thank you for all the support.
Sincerely,
IGdude117
P.S. There is a very good possibility that I will revisit this story and produce some one-shots, so stay tuned!